He was stunned….
Earth under his feet seemed to have caved in….
Defalcation of rupees two and half a lakh…?

Sin Shamoil Ahmad
He was stunned.... Earth under his feet seemed to have caved in....
Defalcation of rupees two and half a lakh...? He clutched his head and
sat down. In minutes the news spread like wild fire that Accounts Clerk
Mohammad Sharief had defalcated rupees two and half a lakh. No one
quite believed that it could be the act of Mohammad Sharief, but his
name was recorded in the ledger-book of the company and his signature
was all too clearly registered in the cash roll. The cash roll was
lying open in front of the manager. Mohammad Sharief entered the
chamber. The manager stared at him from behind his spectacles, ‘is it
your signature...?” Yes, it was his signature. Manager's voice acquired
sternness, ‘you are given one week's time. Deposit the amount during
this period, or else...!' Mohammad Sharief went numb....blood seemed to
have dried in his body. Somehow he managed to stagger out of the
manager's chamber. His colleagues made a swarm around him. ‘How did it
all happen...?” Sharief was silent. Accountant put his hand on his
shoulder tenderly, ‘tell us something, Sharief...' It seemed Sharief
would break down. With tears in eyes, he could barely utter, 'I did not
take the money.' ‘We believe that.' Accountant patted softly on his
shoulder. ‘This is the misdeed of the Cashier.' Someone said and
Sharief covered his face with both hands and began to weep
inconsolably. When Sharief stopped weeping, he stated in detail that
the Nalini Construction people had sent a draft for rupees two and a
half lakh which had to be encashed through bank. Cashier was on leave
that day. Manager had handed over that draft to him. But somehow he was
not able to go to the bank the same day and Cashier had returned the
following day. Cashier took the draft from him saying that he would
post the amount in the ledger. ‘And he took the amount?' Accountant
said. Sharief nodded his head. ‘But then why did you put your signature
on the cash roll?' ‘He said since I had the authority letter, I had to
sign.' ‘And you signed it?' ‘How would I know his intents were
foul...?' ‘And he encashed the draft in connivance with the bank staff
and you got trapped.' ‘But his signature will be on record in the
bank?' ‘What of that? He withdrew the amount and gave it to you. As the
authority letter was in your name, your signature is obtained and held
as recipient of the amount.' ‘What will happen now?' Sharief's voice
choked once again. ‘You have to make good the loss...!' It was getting
dark under Sharief's eyes. Colleagues were confident that it was the
cashier who had taken the amount. Everybody knew Sharief. He was an
honest and innocuous man who was concerned only with his work. But it
was difficult to interrogate Cashier. He had submitted his resignation
and had fled away. The blame was apportioned on Mohammad Sharief. His
colleagues were trying to assure him that they would somehow get hold
of the cashier and make him cough up the money. But he was vacillating
with fear. This thought kept hissing at him like a snake. ‘What will
happen now...the police will take him into custody and what will become
of his children...his family...?' After going out of the office, he
felt he was carrying the cross on his shoulder and he was headed
towards the crucifix to be crucified. So long as he was in the office,
he did not have this strange feeling. He was then busy explaining to
his friends and colleagues. When they left one by one, he realised that
his feet were chained down...and that he was unable to move his steps.
He stopped near Harding Park....with heavy steps he entered the park,
found a secluded corner and slumped down. The park was sparsely
occupied. A young boy was playing with a balloon and a couple was
engaged in some animated romantic discussions. Close by, a middle-aged
man lay on the grass and vacantly gazed at the sky. It appeared to him
that this middle-aged man was an office-goer too, not keen to return
home at this hour. Suddenly, the wormy face of the cashier flashed
before his eyes...! How cleverly the guy took his signature on the cash
roll...first took him to the canteen for a cup of tea...and then
sweet-talked him into signing the paper. He was bought over by his
manipulative talks! If only he had not gone to office that day, the
manager would not have issued that authority letter in his name. What
will happen now? Where will he get that amount of rupees two and a half
lakh? He did not even have any property in his name. Spouse did not
have so much jewellery that could fetch him so much money. Plaintively,
he looked around. A few more people had arrived in the park. The couple
was busy in the same animated kind of romantic discussion. It suddenly
appeared to him that everything was covered under the pall of
meaninglessness. This couple that was so animated now could well be
destined to become victim of some cruelty tomorrow. Mankind is always
under an illusion about the vicissitudes of destiny...it is always on
the prowl...it catches up with you at any stage of your life. If it
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